European Union Ministers of Agriculture and Fisheries discuss EU food security, briefed on market situation for sunflower seeds
13 APRIL 2022A meeting of the EU’s Council of Agriculture and Fisheries ministers on 7 April discussed the Commission communication on safeguarding food security, which was published on 23 March 2022.
The Ministers considered the impact of the war in Ukraine on food security, highlighting the importance of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in ensuring that EU food security is maintained. A key aspect to this is the need to ensure the free flow of trade in agriculture markets, and Ministers also noted the need to ensure that food aid and other assistance is provided to Ukraine.
Ministers endorsed the Commission’s communication and many reiterated the need to reduce the dependence of the EU agri-food sector on inputs.
Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski, also presented the EU market situation to EU farm ministers in Council during a private session, noting the impact that the conflict in Ukraine would have on the production, supply and trade of key agri-food crops. Among the key issues discussed was the situation for the oilseed market, where significant pressure has been placed on the market as Russia and Ukraine combined produce up to 80% of sunflower seeds, oils and meal. The Commissioner hoped that increased prices would motivate farmers in the EU to produce more sunflower seeds and fill the gap, particularly given the derogation on farming on fallow land.
More info: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/agrifish/2022/04/07/
Contact: Lebo Mofolo, lmofolo@frucom.eu